2011 Chevrolet Volt earns NHTSA 5-star safety rating

3 June 2011

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt has earned a 5-star overall vehicle score for safety as part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. The Volt is the first electric vehicle to do so; NHTSA has not yet tested the Nissan LEAF.

Safety features on the Volt include:

GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system;

Front-, side- , knee- air bags as well as roof-mounted head-curtain air bags;

Optional rearview camera system featuring a display integrated into the navigation system screen; and

Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and more rigorous requirements for its five-star safety ratings program that provide more comprehensive information about safety performance and crash-avoidance technologies. Changes include a new side pole test simulating a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

There are other cars that lose half their value in 3 years. With the $7500 tax credit, the price is about $34,000 so that is nothing unusual. Besides, they don't KNOW what the resale will be, it has NOT happened yet.

Consumer Reports is heavily biased against Detroit automobiles according to a detailed U of PA Annenberg School study. They're sadly outdated in the old "perceived expert" category of reviewing. Decision trees today rely on end user reviews, opinion and commentary. Why rely on one opinion when you can get thousands??

With Fed and Cali State rebates the Volt sells for $28,500.00 or a $350/month lease. When gas hits $5 and people stop eating out, seeing flicks, going to ball games - they'll start thinkin' no gas is a good thing.

There is lots of information that can be downloaded from the on board computer. It may not be on the dash like an odometer, but that does not mean that they do not collect the data. I suggest you email GM and see if they do that.

This is what you expect from a vehicle from a major manufacturer (5-star), and why it takes a few yrs to develop one. GM could have cut some corners to get the new tech out the door but glad to see they stuck with high safety ratings. Now they gotta cut the price tag.